In a world where artificial intelligence and lab-grown organs are readily available, blood is the only medically available resource that cannot be produced in a laboratory environment. Because of this, each donation is essential in saving lives, aiding in the treatment of illnesses, and providing assistance in medical emergencies worldwide through continued use by all healthcare professionals.
Why Blood Still Has No Artificial Substitute
While advancements have been made in biotechnology, to date, no laboratory has been able to replicate all components of human blood, including the clotting factors and immune elements. Research for synthetic blood is still primarily focused on the development of oxygen carriers; therefore, blood donation is still a critical requirement for surgical procedures, traumatic injuries, and treating patients with cancer.
Modern Medicine Uses Blood More Precisely Than Ever
Modern transfusion practices focus specifically on delivering what is necessary. Like patients may receive platelets, plasma, or any other specific component as opposed to receiving complete units of whole blood. This precision medicine approach allows for the possibility that one donation could provide for multiple patients with varying medical requirements and therefore increase the number of lives that are saved.
Blood Demand Is Rising With New Medical Treatments
Developments in the fields of organ transplantation, complex cardiac surgeries, and new chemotherapy drugs have resulted in an increased amount of blood and platelet transfusions being required as patients begin to live longer following improved survival rates from previously fatal conditions due to sustained donor support throughout their treatment and recovery process.
Blood Storage Has Limits; Technology Can’t Expand
Despite advancements in how blood is stored, both red blood cells and platelets have a very limited shelf life. Most red blood cells will expire within 42 days, and platelets within five days, and thus, regular blood donations are necessary during emergencies, disasters, and times of seasonal shortages to ensure there is an adequate supply available for those who need it.
Donating Blood Benefits the Donor’s Health Too
There have been previous studies indicating that donating blood on a regular basis may help with cardiovascular markers, maintain balanced iron levels, and identify potential medical issues much earlier through routine checks. Furthermore, some more recent research indicates that donating blood regularly could also aid with improving the thickness of the blood, which could help to support overall circulatory system health.
Donating blood creates an enduring, unbroken ripple effect that has had a vital influence on the delivery of health care through the medicine and technology of the time. Regular blood donation creates a live donation cycle through which humans can rely on one another to continue to save lives.
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